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Brain Functional Connectivity Changes After Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Epileptic Patients
Franca Tecchio1, Carlo Cottone1, Camillo Porcaro1,2,3
1Laboratory of Electrophysiology for Translational neuroScience, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.
Frontiers in Neural Circuits
|June 15, 2018
Summary
Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) alters brain network functional connectivity (FC) in drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) patients. Increased FC in the epileptic focus region correlated with reduced seizure frequency after ctDCS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Epileptology
- Neuromodulation
Background:
- Focal epilepsy is a network disorder where brain connectivity impacts seizure frequency and cortical function.
- Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) shows promise for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), but its network effects are unknown.
- Existing research attributes ctDCS efficacy to cortical excitability inhibition, overlooking potential network modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if functional connectivity (FC) changes mediate the clinical effects of ctDCS in DRE patients.
- To explore ctDCS-induced alterations in brain network FC within the epileptic focus (EF) and surrounding regions.
- To correlate observed FC changes with seizure reduction in DRE patients undergoing ctDCS.
Main Methods:
- Employed a double-blind, sham-controlled crossover design in six temporal lobe DRE patients.
- Utilized electroencephalography (EEG) and single-subject eLORETA analysis to assess FC before and after Real and Sham ctDCS.
- Compared FC between the EF and nine bilateral macro-regions across different frequency bands.
Main Results:
- Real ctDCS significantly altered FC in all patients, whereas Sham ctDCS showed no significant changes.
- Approximately 73% of observed FC changes were localized to the epileptic focus region.
- Increased EF FC, particularly in the theta band, correlated significantly with reduced seizure frequency.
Conclusions:
- ctDCS induces measurable changes in brain network functional connectivity in temporal lobe DRE patients.
- FC modulation, especially within the epileptic focus, likely contributes to the therapeutic effects of ctDCS in epilepsy.
- These findings suggest a potential for personalized neuromodulation strategies in epilepsy treatment.
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